Soldier Killed as Unknown Gunmen Disrupt Anambra APGA Rally, Hold Obiano’s Convoy Hostage

Matilda Omonaiye/

Unidentified gunmen, yesterday, shot dead a soldier during an attack on the venue of a campaign rally by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

The incident occurred in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, which disrupted the planned campaign, also resulted in a firefight with security operatives.

The convoy of Governor Willie Obiano was also prevented from leaving the venue, as his security details joined police officers and soldiers to repel the attack.

The death of the soldier was confirmed by Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr C. Don Adinuba.

In a chat with journalists, Adinuba revealed that the gunmen who stormed the venue in their numbers, were repelled by security operatives.

“A combined team of policemen and soldiers…repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at Odoata Primary School, Ihiala, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was scheduled to organize a campaign rally for the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

“The gunmen came on various motorcycles and in three vehicles, namely, a Toyota Lexus 350 ES; with registration number EKY 765 EX, Toyota RAV4 with number JJJ 434FP and a Ford van whose number could not ascertained at the time of this report because it caught fire during the exchange of bullets between the gunmen and security forces.

“The gunmen, unable to withstand the superior fire power of the soldiers and police officers, quickly ran into the large premises of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital which is directly opposite the campaign ground.

“They suffered serious injuries, even though they managed to shoot a gallant soldier,’’ he stated.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, yesterday, denied the killing of any security operative during the attack.

0